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Palace of Amusement

Downtown Kalamazoo Entertainment Venue (1903-1906)


North side of West Water Street, east of North Church Street (213 North Rose Street).

Located in former warehouse behind the Lawrence & Chapin iron works on North Rose Street. Not really a theater, but opened and operated as a skating rink with novelty-act pretensions from 14 December 1903 until 18 March 1906. Claimed to be large enough to accommodate 3,500 people.

lawrence-chapin-palace-1893
Lawrence & Chapin Building c.1894 (Palace of Amusement location circled). Local History Room

sanborn-map-1908-palace-of-amusements
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1908. Library of Congress

Management

1903 (Winter)
William Shakespeare, Jr. and S.B. Monroe, proprietors
George C. Plummer, manager (October-February)
C.F. Armstrong (February-May)
R.M. Gallup, architect
A.D. Loughhead, contractor
Eugene C. McElhany, musical director

1904 (Summer)
Eugene C. McElhany, manager, musical director

1904 (Winter)
William Shakespeare, Jr. and S.B. Monroe, proprietors
W.E. Munger, manager

1906
Clarence W. Pickell, manager

Amusement Palace Orchestra

1903 (Kalamazoo Gazette-News, December 15, 1903, p.2.)

Eugene C. McElhany, violin and leader
Jay Reams, flute and piccolo
W.E. Wheaton, clarinet (from Chicago)
Samuel Born, cornet
Kate Newton, piano
Joe Robson, trombone
F.S. Thatcher, double bass

1904 (Kalamazoo Gazette, October 16, 1904, p.4.)

Ten-piece brass band instead of an orchestra (non-union band from Detroit)

1905 (Kalamazoo Gazette, November 17, 1905, p.8.)

George B. Newell’s Orchestra

The following description appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette in October 1904, at the beginning of the Palace’s second season of operation.

“Kalamazoo Amusement Palace will open October 24, with roller skating and as an added attraction, the great Rexos, who are favorably known here. Under the management of W.E. Munger, the ‘palace’ has assumed an entirely different and improved look from last year. Spectators’ seats are arranged on a handsome balcony on the east side of the house and about 350 chairs have been provided. The entrance will face on Rose street and will be one of neat architectural design. An illuminate transparency will light up the entrance at the street and a 12-foot sidewalk will lead up to it. The band stand has been moved to the east side of the hall, and a band will furnish music, instead of an orchestra, which will be another great improvement. The entire palace is being cleaned and will be redecorated. New skates are being added and Kalamazoo this winter will have one of the finest amusement emporiums in the state.”

Kalamazoo Gazette, October 12, 1904

palace-ad-kal-gazette-1904-10-23-p2
Palace of Amusement advertisement, Kalamazoo Gazette, 23 October 1904. Local History Room

Sources

Information originally compiled in 1995 by J.P. Jenks. Additional information was later added by library staff. Information compiled from Kalamazoo City Directory listings, details obtained in researching newspaper reports published at the time by the Kalamazoo Gazette and Kalamazoo Telegraph Press, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, Kalamazoo County Warranty Deeds and numerous other sources. Updated March, 2019.


Additional Resources

Books

A History of Theater in Kalamazoo

Pixley, Jorge V., 1958
H 792 P694

Theater in Kalamazoo from 1860–1890

Johns, Marion, 1955
H 792 J65


Articles

“Are Rebuilding Work Began Yesterday On Amusement Palace. ”

Kalamazoo Gazette, October 6, 1903, p.3.

“Sealed Proposals”

Kalamazoo Gazette, October 6, 1903, p.8.

“Nearly Completed Kalamazoo Amusement Palace Will Soon Be Open to the General Public”

Kalamazoo Gazette, November 22, 1903, p.9.

“Amusement Palace Ready Will Be Formally Opened Next Monday.”

Kalamazoo Gazette, December 12, 1903, p.1.

“Opening Was Grand Success Amusement Palace Is A Kalamazoo Fixture. Hall Was Crowded Over 500”

Kalamazoo Gazette, December 15, 1903, p.2.

“Have Bought Plummer Out Amusement Palace Owned By Monroe And Shakespeare.”

Kalamazoo Gazette, February 12, 1904, p.7.

“Clever Children Amusement Palace Vaudeville Feature Up to Expectations”

Kalamazoo Gazette, February 16, 1904, p.5.

“Will Re-Open In May Amusement Palace to Present a Number of Fine Vaudeville Entertainments”

Kalamazoo Gazette, May 1, 1904, p.1.

“Getting Ready For The Opening The Palace of Amusement is Being Overhauled”

Kalamazoo Gazette, September 27, 1904, p.2.

“Palace Opens October 24 Structure Being Cleaned And Much Improved.”

Kalamazoo Gazette, October 12, 1904, p.3.

“Open Oct. 24”

Kalamazoo Gazette, October 16, 1904, p.4.

“Great Crowd At Opening Amusement Palace Is Center of Attraction”

Kalamazoo Gazette, October 25, 1904, p.5.


Local History Room Files

Subject File: Theater

 

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